Turn Up the Night made its World Premiere at the Buffalo International Film Festival on October 10th, 2025, and immediately proved itself to be more than just another “rock band rise and fall” story. Written by Rick Masi and directed by Melodie Roehrig, the film captures both the electrifying highs and gut-wrenching lows of 1980s hard rock excess with sincerity, grit, and heart. At the center of this story is guitarist Derek Carver, a small-town dreamer who trades Michigan winters for the neon heat of Los Angeles.
Read MoreDerelict (2025) #BluRay
A mesmerisingly fractured tale of vengeance, grief, and emotional decay, Derelict stands as one of the most haunting and ambitious British crime thrillers in recent memory. Directed by Jonathan Zaurin, this film dives deep into the human cost of violence and the fragility of those left behind, blending psychological intensity with artful cinematic experimentation. At its heart is Abigail, a woman consumed by loss and obsession following the brutal murder of her father a decade earlier.
Read MoreThe Next Step (1997) #RetroReview
The Next Step, directed by Christian Faber, is a compelling dance drama that delves into the complexities of aging, ambition, and personal transformation. Starring Rick Negron as Nick Mendez, a talented but aging Broadway dancer, the film offers an intimate portrayal of a man grappling with the decline of his career and the consequences of his actions. The narrative follows Nick as he faces the reality of his diminishing opportunities in the dance world, despite his desire to continue performing.
Read MoreA Wiseguy Christmas (2021)
The holiday movie landscape is often dominated by predictable romantic comedies and feel-good family dramas, but A Wiseguy Christmas offers a refreshing and hilarious twist on seasonal storytelling. Directed by Gregory Hatanaka, this 2021 comedy brings an Italian-Mafia flair to the Christmas genre, combining festive cheer with wise-guy humor in a way that’s surprisingly entertaining. The story centers on Tony Pantera, a New York mob boss who is placed in the witness protection program and relocated to Los Angeles.
Read MoreA Christmas Love (2020)
A Christmas Love, directed by Gregory Hatanaka, is a heartfelt indie holiday drama that blends romance, family dynamics, and a touch of magical realism to tell a story about redemption, hope, and the enduring power of love. At just over an hour, it manages to explore complex emotional themes while still maintaining the cozy warmth often associated with Christmas films. The story centers on Jeff, a man whose life seems to be unraveling. Having just lost a promotion he had long anticipated, Jeff is unexpectedly fired by the man who replaced him.
Read MoreAmerican Mobster: Retribution (2021)
American Mobster: Retribution, directed by Gregory Hatanaka, is a low-budget indie crime thriller that manages to be both captivating and so-bad-it’s-impossible-to-look-away entertaining. Picking up ten years after the first film, it follows Nick Romano as he fights to maintain his place at the top of Miami’s criminal underworld. Murder, betrayal, and violence abound, and the film leans into every exaggerated gangster stereotype imaginable—sometimes awkwardly, sometimes hilariously.
Read MoreAmerican Mobster: Miami Shakedown (2010)
American Mobster: Miami Shakedown is a gritty, low-budget crime drama that plunges viewers into the underbelly of Miami’s small-time mob scene. Directed by Marcus Dreeke and written by Nino Cimino, the film follows Nick Romano, a young Italian-American caught between loyalty, love, and survival. With his partner Carlo, Nick navigates hustling, street-level crime, and a tense relationship with his girlfriend Vanessa, all while trying to stay in the good graces of a powerful local crime boss.
Read MoreAmerican Nudist (2011)
American Nudist is one of those films that leaves you questioning not just the narrative, but why it exists at all. Directed by Gregory Hatanaka and officially by Clinton H. Wallace, this 67-minute drama follows a photographer, Taylor Kong, as he enters an exclusive nudist community in search of a muse for his long-awaited dream project. The premise hints at an introspective exploration of nudism and artistic inspiration, but what unfolds is a baffling, almost unwatchable mess.
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